FAQ

Application and Admissions
1. Who is eligible to apply for the Talented Youth Summer Program (TYS@UST)?
2. What are the language requirements?
3. How do I submit my application?
4. Who should complete the Recommendation From?
5. What documents do I have to send after I submit my application?
6. When is the application deadline?
7. When will I be notified about the result of my application?
8. Can I cancel my application for the Summer Program?
   

Fees and Scholarship
9. Is there an application fee?
10. What is the program fee?
11. When and how do I pay the program fee?
12. Will I get a refund of the program fees if I have to cancel my enrolment?
13. Will there be any form of financial assistance like scholarship available to students?
   

Transcript and Credit Transfer
14. What certificate or transcript will I receive?
15. Can I transfer the credits to my undergraduate studies in the future?
16. Will attending the Summer Program guarantee admission to HKUST?
   

Visa and Travel Preparation
17. Do I need to apply for a visa for my stay in Hong Kong?
18. Do I need to buy my own health insurance?
19. How much money do I need to bring?
   

Arrival and Accommodation
20. Will there be airport/ train station reception?
21. How can I get to HKUST by myself?
22. What kind of room will I live in?
23. Can I choose my roommates or request for a single room?
24. Can I live off-campus?
   

Campus Life
25. Are there guidelines on student behavior on campus?
26. Is there access to computers/ Internet?
27. Can I use the HKUST Library?
28. Can I use the sports and recreational facilities at HKUST?
29. What kind of food is available?
30. What other facilities are available at HKUST?
31. Who can I seek assistance from during my stay at HKUST?
   

Staying in Hong Kong
32. What is the climate in Hong Kong?
33. What should I wear?
34. What is the electricity voltage in Hong Kong?
35. How can I make telephone calls?
   

Further Information
36. Any other questions?

FAQ Answer

Application and Admissions

1. Who is eligible to apply for the Talented Youth Summer Program (TYS@UST)?
Top-ranking students who will have completed Grades 10 to 12 (or equivalent) with excellent recommendation are eligible to apply.

2. What are the language requirements?
You are expected to have a good working knowledge of English, as all courses will be conducted in English. You are required to submit documents on your English proficiency with your application, such as your most recent school report card or international English assessment examination score (if available).

3. How do I submit my application?
Download the Application Form here, or enquire online to have the application package sent to you. Then return the form together with a copy of your HKID card/ Passport and application fee by post to “Talented Youth Summer Program, Room 1401 Academic Building, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong”.

4. Who should complete the Recommendation Form?
The Recommendation Form should be completed by the applicant and his/ her school principal or academic counselor. Students submitting international standardized test results have the option of asking a referee outside of school to complete the Recommendation Form. Refer to the Eligibility section for details.

5. What documents do I have to send after I submit my application?
An acknowledgment email will be sent to you after you have completed the application. There will be a reminder on the documents that you need to submit within 21 days. Refer to Application Procedure for details. Please note that submission of test scores is only optional. HKUST will look at the complete application when deciding whether a student should be admitted.

6. When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is 1 May 2009. The deadline is met if the application is submitted on or before 1 May, and all required supporting documents are received within 21 days. Admission offers will be made on a rolling basis. Early application is recommended as offers may be made to qualified applicants prior to the deadline. Late applicants may be put on a waiting list and be considered if there are spaces available.

7. When will I be notified about the result of my application?
Offers will be made to qualified applicants as early as possible upon receipt of their applications. All applicants will be notified about their application results within 4 weeks after all supporting documents are received.

8. Can I cancel my application?
If it is necessary to cancel your application after you’ve been admitted, please notify HKUST immediately so that applicants on the waiting list can be considered for admission. For our refund policy, please refer to FAQ question no.11.

Fees and Scholarships

9. Is there an application fee?
Yes, a non-refundable application fee of HK$400 has to be paid when you submit your application. Payment can be made by HK dollar cheque (for local applicants) or bank draft (for non-local applicants), payable to "The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology".

10. What is the program fee?
The program fee is HK$24,000. An Early Bird Rate is offered – HK$19,800 for those who apply on or before 28 February 2009, and HK$22,000 on or before 1 April 2009. The program fee includes all lectures, lab sessions, learning materials, student residence accommodation, campus facilities, and official program activities.

11. When and how do I pay the program fee?
Payment of program fee can be made by HK dollar cheque (for local applicants) or bank draft (for non-local applicants), payable to "The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology", or by direct deposit into the University's bank account (details available upon request). The cheque, bank draft or deposit receipt should be mailed to “Talented Youth Summer Program, Room 1401 Academic Building, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong” within 14 days from the date of offer, or before 12 June 2009, whichever is earlier. Otherwise, the offer will be withdrawn automatically.

12. Will I get a refund of the program fees if I have to cancel my enrolment?
Should you have to cancel your enrolment after being admitted, a 50% refund of your program fees will be granted IF a written withdrawal request is received by 12 June 2009. No refund will be issued if the written request is received after this date.

13. Will there be any form of financial assistance available to students?
Scholarships are available on a merit basis. Students who are doing exceptionally well academically and with special recommendation can apply for a scholarship. Financial awards may also be granted to students based on need. Scholarships and awards may be granted up to the full amount of the program fee, conditional upon satisfactory completion of the program, and will be paid in arrears. Part C of the Recommendation Form has to be completed if the applicant wishes to apply for a scholarship or award.

Transcript and Credit Transfer

14. What certificate or transcript will I receive?
All participants will be awarded a certificate upon successful completion of the program. An official transcript will be issued by HKUST showing the credits and results for the courses taken, and mailed to students after the program.

15. Can I transfer the credits to my undergraduate studies in the future?
Students who have satisfactorily completed the courses under TYS@UST 2009 will earn 2 university-level credits, which can be counted towards their undergraduate studies at HKUST in the future.

16. Will attending TYS@UST guarantee admission to HKUST?
No, admission to the Talented Youth Summer Program will not guarantee admission to the undergraduate programs of HKUST. However, good performance at the program may strengthen your future application, and credits earned during the program can be counted towards undergraduate studies at HKUST in the future.

Visa and Travel Preparation

17. Do I need to apply for a visa for my stay in Hong Kong?
All non-local students are required to obtain a student visa in order to stay in Hong Kong for study. The application process normally takes about 4-6 weeks to complete and therefore should be started immediately upon receipt of your admission offer. Appropriate assistance will be provided by HKUST in your visa application.
Please also make sure that you have a passport valid for six months beyond your travel period.

18. Do I need to buy my own health insurance?
The Talented Youth Summer Program will cover basic health and accident insurance during your stay at HKUST and for official activities off campus. You will be entitled to use the primary health care service available in the on-campus clinic. Hospitalization and travel insurance are not covered. Those who are in need of additional coverage should make further insurance arrangements themselves.

19. How much money do I need to bring?
In addition to the program fees, additional expenses for participants would include transportation to Hong Kong and between Hong Kong airport/ train station and HKUST, daily meals, laundry, personal miscellaneous expenses, and ad-hoc medical expenses. The minimum living expenses for the program period are estimated to be around HK$3,000 - HK$3,500.

Arrival and Accommodation

20. Will there be airport/ train station reception?
Airport/ train station pick-up/ drop-off can be arranged upon request. Further information on the arrival and departure arrangement will be available a few weeks before the commencement of the program.

21. How can I get to HKUST by myself?
If you come by train from Mainland China:

HKUST Location Map
HKUST Campus Map

22. What kind of room will I stay in?
Students will stay in the undergraduate student halls at HKUST during the Residential Program. Most rooms are shared by two students, and some by three. All rooms are air-conditioned and furnished with desks, chairs, bookshelves, beds (bed sheet, a pillow and a light blanket will be provided) and wardrobes, with provisions for linking personal computers to university network. Common facilities include showers, washrooms, common rooms with TVs and telephones, pantries with microwave ovens, laundry with coin-operated washing machines and dryers.

23. Can I choose my roommates or request for a single room?
No. Students are encouraged to learn to live with new people as part of their experience of university life. You will share a room with one roommate in a double room or two roommates in a triple room. Housing assignments will be made by the Student Housing Office upon your arrival.

24. Can I live off-campus?
No. All students are required to stay on campus during the entire program period to ensure a quality learning experience for all. No leaves will be granted except under extenuating circumstances.

Extenuating circumstances refer to circumstances that are unforeseeable or unavoidable and beyond the student’s control. In general, extenuating circumstances will usually be health related, such as serious personal illness, sudden illness or emergency situation of a close family member, etc. It may also be related to attending public examinations (such as pre-university entrance tests and interviews, or the alike) whereby test dates are out of the control of students. For the latter, students will be required to provide advance notice to the University and supply official notifications issued by the testing-organization.

As part of the design of the program is to allow students to experience university life, activities are scheduled throughout the 3-week period to maximize their exposure. Henceforth, situations like visiting relatives will not be considered as extenuating circumstances. If students are flying-in from abroad for the program and would like to visit their relatives and friends in Hong Kong, we recommend that they extend their stay before or after the program.

Campus Life

25. Are there guidelines on student behavior on campus?
Yes. After being admitted to the program, a Participant Agreement with guidelines on expected student behavior during the program will be sent to students and parents along with the offer letter. Students will have to sign and return the Agreement (with their parents' consent and endorsement) to HKUST.

26. Is there access to computers/ the Internet?
Each student will be issued a computer account, which can be used for access to computer facilities in the 3 computer barns and the Express Stations on campus for internet access.

27. Can I use the HKUST Library?
Each student will be issued a Talented Youth Summer Program ID Card, which can be used for access to materials in the HKUST Library.

28. Can I use the sports and recreational facilities at HKUST?
Students will have access to the indoor and outdoor sports and recreational facilities on campus, including a 50-meter swimming pool, all-weather Astroturf soccer pitch, 8 tennis courts, facilities for basketball, beach volleyball, squash, and table tennis, a fully-equipped fitness center (open to students over 18 years of age only), music rooms and multi-purpose rooms. Sports games and competitions will be organized as part of the program activities.

29. What kind of food is available?
Catering facilities on campus include a coffee shop, a food court, cafeterias and restaurants serving Chinese and international cuisines. The approximate price ranges for some food items on campus are listed below:

30. What other facilities are available at HKUST?
There are 3 banks, a supermarket, a book store, a stationery shop, a souvenir shop, a hair salon and self-service photocopiers conveniently located on the HKUST campus. A clinic is also available with both medical and dental services.

31. Whom can I seek assistance from during my stay at HKUST?
Students will be assigned to teams of no more than 10 led by selected HKUST student leaders, who will stay at the student halls with team members and serve as mentors in all activities. You may approach your team leader for any assistance throughout your stay at HKUST. Program staff will be most happy to provide any further assistance.

Staying in Hong Kong

32. What is the climate in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong has a subtropical climate. The weather in July and August is hot and humid, with temperature ranging from 28° to 35°C (82° - 95°F). Typhoons - the Pacific equivalent of hurricanes - may be experienced during summer.

33. What should I wear?
During the hot summer months, cool and loose-fitting clothing is recommended for outdoor wear. As virtually all public buildings in Hong Kong are air-conditioned, a light jacket or sweater is sometimes needed when going indoors. Storms and heavy rain are frequent in summer. Please remember to bring a handy umbrella or raincoat.

34. What is the electricity voltage in Hong Kong?
Voltage in Hong Kong is 220v (50 Hz). The wall socket outlets installed on the university premises are of 13 amperes (13A) with three rectangular pins configuration.

35. How can I make telephone calls?
Local calls are free, except through public phone booths, which charge HK$1 per 5 minutes. Public phones are available at the student halls and throughout the campus. You may use pre-purchased phone cards to make both local and international calls.

Further Information

36. Any other questions?

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The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong.